COLUMBUS- State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D- Toledo) issued the following statement after the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Resolution 19 during session today, which urges the President to re-authorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

“The TVPA funds critical services to victims, and is an important tool in fighting human trafficking, especially in Ohio. It is extremely difficult to help a population that is underserved, under-resourced, and under the radar, which is what makes the TVPA so important.”

The first TVPA was passed in 2000, and created public awareness programs, economic development programs, and a federal task force among other features. The President is expected to sign the Violence Against Women Act and TVPA amendment tomorrow.

State Reps. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) today sent a letter asking Attorney General Mike DeWine to appoint special state prosecutor to determine the extent of criminal activities of the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) publicized by Auditor Dave Yost in a stalled audit released today. The lawmakers are also asking that a special prosecutor determine whether state negligence contributed to additional taxpayer fraud, and whether or not state officials are liable for any additional fraud that developed as a result of their negligence or malfeasance.

State Reps. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Thomas West (D-Canton) today introduced a joint resolution to establish universal preschool in Ohio. The proposal would amend the Ohio Constitution to require free, universal preschool for all four and five-year-olds who reside in the Buckeye State.

State Reps. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) today hosted the Ninth Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day at the Ohio Statehouse, as lawmakers, law enforcement officials, and hundreds of advocates and survivors from across the state gathered to raise awareness and discuss ways to further combat human trafficking in Ohio.